A Lovely Day To Go For A Ride

"f86sabre" (f86sabre) 08/17/2013 at 21:14 • Filed to: Planelopnik

3

11

The X-15 gets a lift to altitude under the wing of a B-52. Max altitude of the X-15 was 67 miles as flown by Joe Walker and the max speed was 4519 mph as flown by Pete Knight. By comparison this is around twice as fast as the published top speed of the Blackbird and 4 times higher than its operational ceiling. Granted, the SR-71 was an operational air breather and the X-15 was an experimental rocket plane. More after the break.

Two helpings of awesome. x-15 and XB-70

Post mission.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > f86sabre 08/17/2013 at 21:21

0

Have you ever read At The Edge Of Space? It's a very interesting book on the whole X-15 project and its pilots.

f86sabre > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/17/2013 at 21:23

0

No, but I will have to add it to my list.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > f86sabre 08/17/2013 at 21:25

0

Here's a link to the book on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/158834…

Leadbull > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/17/2013 at 21:30

0

There's also a movie.

Anon > f86sabre 08/17/2013 at 21:36

0

My god! I know that it has a presurized cabin but how many foot pounds of torque would that be!

f86sabre > Anon 08/17/2013 at 21:49

0

You lost me on that one. The X-15 is dropped before lighting off its motor so undue odds on the B-52.

Bandit > f86sabre 08/17/2013 at 22:05

1

From my facebook page

rad_mike > f86sabre 08/17/2013 at 23:05

0

I know you posted about the X-15, but all I can see is Valkyrie.

WhiskeyGolf > f86sabre 08/17/2013 at 23:50

0

I like your style, Sabre. Where did you say you work?

f86sabre > WhiskeyGolf 08/18/2013 at 00:25

0

Delta

Autolegend86 > f86sabre 08/18/2013 at 07:51

1

I feel like a badass. I've seen the 2 remaining X-15s in person.

1. Smithsonian in DC.

2. US Air Force Museum in Dayton Ohio.
The one in the now closed experimental exhibit. The same exhibit the XB70 is hidden in.